Oil well pump



DEC. l, 1931. W H GRAHAM 1,834,024

OIL WELL PUMP Filed March 8, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 1, 1931.

W. H. GRAHAM OIL vWELL PUMP Filed March 8. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Mllz'am j?. graham 1 orney DCC. 1, 1931. W H. GRAHAM 1,834,024

OIL WELL PUMP Fild March-8, 19:50

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 nvenor M'Zz'am E61-raken? 93" @Qmav ,4 torney Patented Dec. l, 193i UNITED YSTATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM H. GRAHAM, OF STEAILOAT' SPRINGS,I COLORADO, ASSIGNOR T0 GRAHAM SIMPLEX PUMI COMPANY, OF SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, A. CORPORATION OF NEW MEXICO OIL WELL :PUMP

Application led March 8,

This invention relates broadly to pumps, and has more particular reference to a pump especially adapted for use in oil well pumping operation.

A primary object of this invention 1s to provide an oil well pump including a reclprocating piston, an electric motor for imparting power to the piston, together with suitable clutch mechanism for eli'ecting the desired reciprocation, or upward and downward stroke of the piston.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a pump of the character described comprising a reciprocating piston, an electric motor, clutch mechanism operatively connecting the piston with the motor, the parts all arranged in a suitable casing and sealed against moisture or fluid contained in the well.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a pump of the character above mentioned, which is comparatively simple in construction, comprises but relatively few parts, capable of the necessary power for a pumping the oil from the well, inexpensive,

thoroughly reliable, strong, durable and otherwise well adapted for the purpose designed.

Other objectsrand advanta es of the invention will become apparent during a study of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure la is, a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the upper part of the pump,

Figure 1b is a longitudinal sectional View taken through the lower end of the pump and is a continuation of Figure 1a,

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure lb,

Figure 3 is a similar view taken substantially on line 3 3 of Figure la,

Figure 4 is an enlargedA fragmentary detall v1ew partly in section and partly in ele- 1930. Serial No. 434,380.

vation for more clearly disclosing the clutch mechanism,

Figure-5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 6,

' Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 6.-6 of Figure `4:,

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially online 7-7 of Figure 1b a-nd looking upwardly in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail View taken substantially on line 8 8 of Figure 7,

Figure 9 isa top plan view of the pump,

Figure 10 is a top plan view of a screw block forming part of the clutch mechanism.

With reference more in detail to the drawings, it will be seen that the improved pump comprises an outer elongated casing designated generally by the reference character 5.. An annular shell like cap 6 is threaded in the upper end of the casing 5. Arranged within the outer casing 5 is an inner sectional casing comprising an upper casing section 7 an intermediate section- 8 and a lower end section 9.

An annular shell like cap 10`is threaded in the upper end of the upper end casing'section 7. The cap .10 is provided with an internally threaded central opening 11 within which is threaded an intermediate portion of a coupling member 12. The coupling member 12 embodies an upper internally threaded tubular portion 13 extending up- Wardly through a centrally arranged opening in the cap 6.

Threaded in the upper end portion 13 of said coupling is the lower end of a suitable discharge pipe 14. The coupling A12 further embodies a lower externally threaded cylindrical portion 15. Threadedly engaged with.

the lower extended portion 15 is the upper end of an elongated tubular barrel 16.

A cylindrical coupling block 17 has its upper end portion threaded within the lower end of the casing section 7 as at 18. The lower end of the coupling block 17 is threaded within the upper end 'of the intermediatel `armature 21mounted on the shaft and confined between upper and lower collars 22 and 23 respectively formed integrally on the shaft inwardly from the adjacent end of the shaft.

The field of the electric motor is designated generally by the reference character 24. The

upper end of the motor shaft 2O is rotatably i mounted in a bearin 25 threaded in the lower end of the block 1 Interposed between adjacent ends of the intermediate casing section 8 andthe lower end casin section 9 is a cylindrical clutch housing 2 A second coupling block 28 has its upper end threaded within the lower end of the casing section 8 as at 29. The lower end of the couplingblock 29 is threaded within the upper en d of the clutch housing 27 as at 30.

' The lower end of the motor shaft 20 is rotatably mounted in an annular bearing 31 threaded in the` upper end ofthe coupling block 29. The collar 22 and bearin s 25 are suitably formedl to provide comp emental bearing races for ball bearings 32. Likewise the collar 23 and bearings 31 are .suitably formed to provide complemental bearing races for ball bearings 33.

Threaded within the coupling block 28 is a bearing ring 34 between which and the bearing 31 is interposed a suitable gasket 35.

A gear`36 is formed on the lower end of the motor shaft 20. The gear 36 is adapted to mesh with a-socket gear 37 formed on the upper end of a sleeve 38.` The sleeve 38 is rotatable within a suitable bearing structure which includes an outer ball bearing supporting ring 39 threaded within the lower end of the coupling block 28, and an inner ball bearlng retaining ring 40 threaded within the oute ring. 39 as shown to advantage in Figure The lower end of the clutch housing 27 is coupled to the upper end of the lower casing sect-ion 9 through the medium of 'an exter- Y the member 11v is aconventional type of ball check valve designated generally by the refportion threadedly engaged with the outer casing 5 as at 46, and is further threadedly engaged with the lower end of the inner casing section 9 as at 47.

An annular plate 48 is retained in the lower end of the casing section. 9 at the upper end of the well packer 45 through suitable means designated generally by the reference character 49.

Threadedly mounted within the bore of the annular plate 48\ is a bushing plug 5() to accommodate the lower end of the piston rod 44. Likewise, a similar bushing plug 51 is threaded in the upper end of the coupling block 17 to accommodate the u per end portion 0f the piston rod 44. lso threaded within the coupling block 17 is a suitable bearing rin 52. v

Intermediate its ends, the piston rod 44 is externally threaded as at 53. The purpose of the threaded portion 53 will be hereinafter made manifest. Mounted on the upper end of the piston rod 44 and working within the pump barrel 16 is a conventional type of piston 54. A ball valve assembly 55 is arranged on the upper end ofthe piston 54.

Formed on the lower end of the sleeve 38 is a relatively large beveled drive gear 38. Adapted to mesh with the beveled gear 38 is a plurality of beveled gears 54, there being preferably four of such gears 54.

Each of the gears 54 is rotatably mounted on a pin 55, the head of said pin 55 is countersunk in an outer adjustable bearing 56. The outer bearings 56 are threaded within the Walls of the clutch housing 27. Retaining members, or lock nuts 57 are threadedly engaged with the inner end of said bearings 56.

The gearsy 54 are rotatably confined on their respective ends 55 between said outer adjusting bearings 56 and an inner adjusting bearing 58 threaded on the inner end of the pin 55 as shown to advantage in Figure 6. An annular supporting plate 59 is provided with circumferentially spaced upstanding attachin arms or flanges 60 bolted or otherwise.

secure to the wall of the clutch housing 27.

Circumferentially spaced notches 6'1 are formed on the outer periphery of the plate 59 to accommodate the gears 54 as shown to advantage in Figure 6. Rising from the plate 59 opposite each notch 61 is a standard 62 within the upper end of which is threaded the inner bearing 58.

Opposite each standard 62, and at the inner periphery of the plate 59 there rise therefrom lml upright members designated generally by the reference character 63. Bolted to the upper ends of the uprights 63 are somewhat arcuate brake facings ,64. An internally threaded upper clutch nut or block 65 is threaded on the threaded portion 53 of the pist-on rod 44 as clearlyshown to advantage in Figure 4. v

On its outer periphery, the clutch nut 65 is provided with'radial key ribs 66`en'gaging internal key ways of an annular clutch member designated generally by the reference character 67. The clutch member 67 constitutes one female part of a suitable clutch mechanism and is adaptedv to engage a male clutch member 68 Acarried by the beveled gear 38', so that obviously rotation of the gear 38', when the male and female.

clutch members 68 and 67 respectively are in engagement, will thread the clutch nut 65 longitudinally of the piston rod 44 for moving the piston rod 44 downwardly thus ac-tuating the'piston 54 for movement upon its down stroke.

A. ring cap 69 is threaded on the lower end of the female clutch member 67, and carried bythe cap 69 is an annular brake face 70 adapted to frictionally engage with the arcuate brake faces 64 to set up a braking action therebetween. For reversing the direction of rotation of the piston rod 44 for moving the piston 54 upon its up stroke, there is pro- A spacer ring 71 is interposed between' the f gear 70 and the male clutch member 68 as shown to advantage in Figure 4. The annular spacer 71 is rotatably mounted within a suitable annular bearing structure 72 retained within the clutch housing 27 through the medium of set screws 73. An annular plate 74 is threadedly mounted in the lower end of the housing 27.

An annular bearing member 75 is threadedly mounted within the annular plate 74 formountingthe clutch block 65. `A sleeve 76 at its lower endis operatively connected to the annular female clutch member 67 through the medium of a suitable annular bearing ring structure 76 as clearly suggested in Figure 4. At its upper end, the sleeve 76 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced upstanding extensions 78.

rllfhe extensions 78 on their outer faces are providedy with ratchet teeth 9 for engagement with pinion teeth 80 journaled in suitable frame structures 81 bolted to the supporting plate 59 and arranged thereon in alternate relation to the upright 63 as clearly suggested in Figure 6.

Vertically movable within the'fra'me structur'es 81 are rack bars 82also meshing with the pinion 80. Suitably secured to the upper end of the' rack 82 is a ring 83. The ring 83 is in the nature o f a bearing ring and is disposed circumjacent the lower portion of the male clutch member 67 as clearly suggested in Figure 4.

The sleeve 76 at the lower end thereof is provided with an external annular shoulder 85. A bearing ring 86 is suitably bolted or otherwise secured to the female clutch member 67 within the confines of said female clutch member, and said ring 86 is disposed circnmjacent the shoulder 85. A flanged retaining ring 87 has threadedV engagement with the ring 86 and the fiange of said ring end of the sleeve is operatively connected to the female clutchmember 67 i Suitable anti-friction means may be interposed between the shoulder and the rings 86 and 87 respectively. t A

An annular bearing ring 88 is disposed circumjacent the lower annular portion` of the female clutch member 67 and' suitable antifrictionmeans may be interposed between said annular part of the female clutch member 67 and said ring 88. The ring 88 is retained in position through the medium of a retaining ring threaded to the annular part ofthe female clutch member 67 as clearly suggested in Figure 4. i 4

vertically movable clutch actuating rods 90 have their upper portions slidable through vertical openings formed in the annular member 74, and at their upper ends the rods `are operatively secured to the ring 88 as at 91. Socket 92 corresponding in number to the rods 90 are supported on the annular member 48 arranged in the lowermost end,

-of the end casing section 9.

On their lower ends. the rods 90 are pro-` vided with vertical pins 93. Coil springs 94 are anchored in each of the sockets 92, and the upper convolutes of the coil springs are disposed about the pins 93 and at their upper ends the' springs 94 bear against the lower end of the rod 90- for normally urging the rod upwardly of the casing 9.

A guide structure embodving four vertical walls 95 extend vertically between the annular members 41 and 48 respectively. At its upper end. the guide structure is retained in position through the medium of suitable brackets 96 bolted or otherwise secured to the annular member 41 and engaging the guide structure as clearly suggested in Figure 1?). Likewise. the lower end of the guide structure is suitably retained in position through the medium of brackets 97 engaging the lower 87 overlies the shoulder 85 whereby the lower I.

end of the guide structure, said brackets 97 being mounted on the annular member 48 as is also clearly suggested in Figures 1b and Figure 8. A

p i5. Each of the walls of the guide structure is longitudinally slotted as at 98. Directly beneath its threaded portion 53 the piston rod 44 is provided with control lugs 99 operable in the slot 98 of the respective walls 10 95. The actuator rods 90 are normally retainedin a lowermost position against the action of the springs 94 through the medium of catch members 100 pivotally mounted on each of the sockets adapted to engage with l5 the lowermost ends of the respective rods 90 as suggested in Figure 8.

The latch members 100 are provided at their lowermost ends with offset portions 101 normally urged outwardly under tension of springs 102 for retaining the latch members in engagement with the rods 90.

The upper end portion of the rods 90 are operable through suitable frame structures 103 bolted to the wall of the lowermost end casing 9 as suggested in Figure 4. At said upper end portion, the rods 90 are provided with rack teeth 104 meshing with pinions 105 rotatably mounted within each of the frame structures 103.

The pinions 105 are provided With integrally formed fingers 106 adapted to be engaged with the control lug 99 as and for a purpose to be hereinafter made manifest.

At the upper end ofthe electric motor sight plugs 108 are threaded in the casing# section 8 as clearly shown in Figure la. Eye bolts 109 are secured to the plugs 6 to which eye bolts cables (not shown) may be secured for suspending the pump into the oil wells. Furthermore, the cap or plug 6 is provided with suitable openings 110, the cap or plug 10 is provided with suitable openings 111 and the coupling plug 17' is provided with suitable vertical bores 112, through all of which openings electrical wires (not shown) may be extended to the electric motor to be operatively connected thereto in a` manner well known in the art. y

The operation o f the well pump may be briefly explained as follows: Power is delivered to the hollow piston 44 through the medium of the intermeshing pinion 36 and gear 37 connecting the electric motor with the gearing 53, 54 and 70. The male clutch member 68 being in engagement with the female clutch member 67, the clutch nut 65 will be rotated, thus imparting a downward movement to the piston 44 constituting the downward stroke of the piston 58.

Obviously, the piston rod 44 will be main` tained against rotation, since the control lugs 99 are operable in the slots 98 of the guide structure. During the down stroke of the piston, the male and female clutch members 65 68 and 67 respectively are held out of engagement one withv another, the actuating rods 90 being locked in their lowermost position through the medium Vof the latch members 100 engaging with the lower end of the rod 90.

` As shown to advantage in Figure 8 when the piston has completed its down stroke,l the control lug 99 will engage with the o'set portion 101 of the latch member 100 for releasing the latter whereby the control rods 75 90 will be moved upwardly under action of the spring 94.

This upward movement of the rod 90 will of course move the female clutch member 67 into engagement with the male clutch member 68. At the Sametime the sleeve 67 will bemoved upwardly so that through the mediunr of the two extensions 78 meshing with the pinion, which in turn meshes with the rack bars 82, the gear 83 will move doWn- 85 wardly. Also, the clutch member 67 will move downwardly and out of engagement with the male clutch member 68, and the clutch members 67 and 68 now being en.- gaged with one another, the clutch nut or eo block will be rotated thus moving the piston rod 44 upwardly for completing the up stroke of the piston 54.

At the completion of the 11p-stroke, it is apparent .thatthe control lug 99 will engage with the lingers 106 thus actuating the clutch pinion 104 for moving the lrods 90 downwardly consequently drawing the female clutch member 67 out of engagement with the male clutch member 68', said last mentioned male and female clutch members being retained out of engagement through the medium of the latch member 100 again engaging with the lower end of the rods for retaining them in their lowermost position. f

The consequent downward movement of the female clutch member 67 will through the medium of the member 78, 80, 82 and 83, cause the female clutch member 67 to move 110 upwardly into engagement with the complemental male clutch member 68 for again moving the piston rod 44 downwardly to complete a down stroke of the piston. Obviously this operation will be continuously repeated durmg the running of the electric motor.

During the aforementioned operation, the working barrel 16 is filled with fluid from thewell on the down stroke of the piston through the small valve 55, the fluid being forced upwardly through the hollow piston rod 44. The ball valve 55 will close upon the upstroke of the piston and thus force the fluid from the working barrel through the check valve 43 at the top of the pump through the discharge pipe 14 that carries the fluid to the surface.

1 The check valve 43 at the top of the pump will retain the Huid within the working bar- 130 rel during the down stroke of the piston since it is obvious that the check valve will be moved to a closed position during the down stroke of the piston.

It is thought that from the foregoing description, taken in connection' with the accompanying drawings a clear understanding of the operation, construction, utility and advantages of a pump of this character will'be apparent to those skilled in this art without a more detailed description.

It will be also appreciated, that with a pump of this character, the use of piston rods is entirely eliminated, that the pump is capable of providing a stroke of suitable length and at a rate of eighteen to twenty five strokes per minute, that the heat from the motor in the bottom of the well will tend to keep the well free from paraliin and asphalt, a great advantage in the production of oil. Furthermore, all back pressure onthe sand in the bottom of the well will be eliminated.

Even though I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible to changes fully lcomprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described, and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

l. In a pump of the character described a casing, a working barrel in the upper end of the casing, said working barrel opened at its upperend, a check valve controlling the upper open end of said working barrel, an electric motor arranged'in said casing, said electric motor having a hollow armature shaft,

a hollow piston mounted for reciprocation within said working barrel, a valve controlling the upper end of said piston, a hollowl piston rod extending from said piston through the hollow armatureshaft of said electric motor, said hollow piston rod having communication at its upper end with said piston and being opened at its lower end, clutch means operatively connecting said piston rod with the armature shaft of said electric motor, for imparting reciprocatory movement to said piston rod.

2. In a pump of the character described, a casing, a working barrel in the upper end of the casing, said working barrel opened at its upper end, a check valve controlling the upper open end of said working barrel, an electric motor arranged in said casing, said electric motor having a hollow armature shaft, a hollow piston mounted for reciprocation within said working barrel, a valve controlling the upper end of said piston, a hollow piston rod extending from said piston through the hollow armature shaft of said electric motor, said hollow piston rod having communication at its upper end with said piston and being open at its lower end, clutch means operatively connecting said piston rod with the armature shaft of said electric motor, for imparting reciprocatory movement to said piston rod, said clutch means comprising a pair of clutches, each of said clutches comprising a male and female member, and means operable by said piston rod foralternately engaging and disengaging the male and female members of the respective clutches.

3. In a well pump, a casing, a working vbarrel in the upper end of the casing, a check valve controlling upper end of the working barrel, a valved piston mounted for reciprocation in said barrel, and having an open ended hollow piston rod, an electric motor in said Casing, means operatively connecting said motor to said piston rod, said means comprising a pair of clutches, each of said clutches comprising male and female members, means operatively connecting said clutches, said last mentioned means including means operatively connected with the said piston rod for alternately engaging and dis engaging the male and female members of the respective clutches for imparting a reciprocatory movement to said piston.

4. In. a well pump, a casing, a working barrel in the upper end of the casing, a check valve controlling the upper end of the working barrel, a valved piston mounted for reciprocation in said barrel, and having an open ended hollow piston rod, an electric motor in said casing, means operatively connecting said motor to said piston rod, said means comprising a pair of clutches, screw threads on said piston rod, each of said clutches embodying a nut threadedly engaged with the threads on said piston rod, means operatively connecting said clutches whereb the nuts of the clutches are alternately e fectively engaged with the threads on said piston rod for imparting movement te the latter. A

5. In a well pump, a casing, a workin barrel in the upper end of the casing,.a chec valve controlling the upper end of the working barrel, a valved piston mounted for reciprocation in said barrel, and having an open ended hollow piston rod, an electric motor in said casing, means operatively connecting said motor to said piston rod,` said means comprising a pair of clutches, screw threads on said piston rod, each of said clutches embodying a nut threadedly engaged with the threads on said piston rod, means operatively connecting said clutches whereby the nuts of the clutches are alternately effectively engaged with the threads on said piston rod for impartingvmovement to the latter, and means for retaining said piston rod against rotative movement.

6. In a pump of the character described, a working barrel, a piston mounted for reciprocation in said barrel, a rod for the piston,

an electric motor, means operatively connecting said motor to said piston rod, said means including a pair of clutches each of said clutches comprises male and female members, means operatively connecting said clutches to said piston rod whereby when the male and female members of one clutch are out of engagement, the male-and female members of the other clutch are in engagement for effecting a movement of the rod in one direction, means operatively connecting said clutches for alternately engaging and disengaging the male and female members of the respective clutches at the completion of movement of the rod in one direction.

7. In a pump of the character described, a working barrel, a piston mounted for reciprocation in said barrel, a rod for the piston, an electric motor, means operatively connecting said motor to said piston rod, said means including a pair of clutches each of said clutches comprises male and female members, means operatively connecting said clutches to said iston rod whereby when the male and femalje members of one clutch are out of engagement, the male and female menrbers of the v other clutch are in engagement for effecting a movement of the rod in one direction, means operatively connecting said clutches for alternately engaging and disengaging the male and female members of the respective clutches at the completion of movement of the rod in one direction, spring pressed rods normally urging the female member of one of said clutches in engagement with the corresponding male member, latch means engageable with said spring pressed rod for retaining said members of said one clutch out of engagement, and control means carried by said piston rod for releasing said latch means at the completion of movement in one direction.

8. In a pump of the character described, a

working barrel, a piston mounted for reciprocation in said barrel, a rod for the piston, an electric motor, means operatively connecting said motor to said piston rod, said means including a pair of clutches, each of said clutches comprises male and female members, means operatively connecting said clutches to said piston rod whereby when the male and female members of one clutch are out of enga-gement, the male and female members of the other clutch are in engagement for effecting a movement of the rod in one direction, `means operatively connecting said clutches for alternately engaging and disengaging the 'male and female members -of the said one clutch out of engagement, and control means carried by said piston rod for releasing said latch means at the completion of movement in one direction, and means engageable by said control means upon completion of movement of said piston rod in an opposite direction for moving said spring pressed rods into locking engagement with the latches.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

WILLIAM H. GRAHAM.

respective clutches at the completion of movel ment of the rod in one direction, spring pressed rods normally urging the female member of one of said clutches in engagement with the male member of said one clutch,

latch means engageable with said spring pressed rods, for retaining said members ,of 

